Why VCU Convergence is built to take on neurodegeneration: Q&A with Faika Zanjani
Nearly seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a number projected to nearly double by 2050. At Virginia Commonwealth University, researchers are adamant that the path forward is led through collaboration. As part of VCU Convergence, an interdisciplinary team of neurodegeneration experts is advancing full-cycle brain health research, from bench science to community-based clinical health, and back again. We spoke with Faika Zanjani, Ph.D., a VCU gerontology professor and associate dean of research of the College of Health Professions. Zanjani, the VCU Convergence neurodegeneration theme faculty lead discusses the urgency of her research and why VCU is positioned to lead and what gives her hope.
Why are neurodegenerative diseases becoming such an urgent public health issue?
By 2050, the prevalence is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia; it is prevalent in a third of adults over the age of 85. Dementia devastates lives due to the loss of memory and the impairment of language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities.
What makes VCU particularly well-positioned to lead work in neurodegeneration?
We have the brain power! We already have important neurodegeneration work underway at VCU, but we need to work together. Between 1987 and 2024, there were over 300 publications on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with a VCU affiliation. More than half were published in the last five years. VCU has almost 20 active National Institute of Health (NIH) grants relevant to dementia and nearly 300 NIH grant years in dementia across all funding activities.
One area for us to collectively explore is modifiable brain health risk factors. Currently, we have no evidence-based programs to offer individuals coming to the doctor’s office presenting with dementia risks. We will focus on establishing a VCU Neurodegeneration longitudinal repository to follow brain health and modifiable risk factors over time. Modifiable risk factors are estimated to account for 45 percent of attributable dementia risk; thus, as a leading cause of death without a current cure, more brain health prevention strategies can be developed with a comprehensive registry.
How does the convergence model help researchers tackle problems that traditional structures struggle to solve?
VCU Convergence inherently represents transdisciplinary, translational team science. Having VCU support a convergent design breaks barriers that come from institutional support.
Are there any partnerships that you are excited about?
Yes, all of them! College of Health Professions, Neurology, Nursing, the Division of Community Engagement and VCU Health have already been excellent partners. These relationships need to continue and be expanded. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry are doing groundbreaking work. We are working on integrating them into VCU Convergence. We are also actively working on establishing a brain health and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) biomarker lab to expand our capacity to address groundbreaking screening, diagnosis and treatment care models. And the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Span Center, our local Area Agency on Aging, have been excellent model partners.
How do you ensure this research ultimately improves the quality of life for patients and families?
Helping families is at our core. Our convergence is based on the Richmond Brain Health Initiative, which was established to provide community-facing AD/ADRD support. The initiative will be central to our progression, raising awareness, offering risk-reduction interventions and navigating brain health services.
What gives you the greatest hope right now for neurodegeneration research?
The cell-to-community approaches already happening here at VCU to address AD/ADRD give us confidence and optimism that the next breakthrough is developing right here in Richmond. We are standing on the shoulders of behemoth chronic disease care models at VCU, such as cancer, heart disease, liver disease, mental health and traumatic brain injury, and know it takes a village to improve survivorship and quality. We plan to capitalize on these strengths and collaborate to build a better model for AD/ADRD treatments and interventions.
Are there emerging technologies or breakthroughs that could significantly change how we detect or treat neurodegenerative diseases?
Yes. We are actively working to establish a brain health and AD/ADRD biomarker lab to expand our capacity to innovate and develop groundbreaking screening, diagnosis and treatment care models. We just started offering AD/ADRD treatment infusions and are one of eight health care centers in Virginia offering CMS GUIDE services to support AD/ADRD families.
What opportunities does this convergence model create for students?
We already have a Richmond Brain Health Initiative work-study and VCU Vertically Integrated Project team for students to get involved directly . Students can learn by working with us, but they are also the key to future innovations.
If you could change one thing about how society approaches brain health, what would it be?
We need to reduce AD/ADRD risk by building and increasing cognitive and physical reserve. Research suggests that universal education and lifestyle behaviors have been major contributors to brain health. This strong effect was limited to early life, because that is when we invest most into our education and lifestyle. Similar efforts need to be made across an individual’s lifespan, to provide brain health agency and dignity into old age. We need to make sure we are investing in a lifespan, cell-to-community approach to brain health.
What’s one takeaway you hope people leave with after learning about this work?
That AD/ADRD is not inevitable as we grow older as a society. There are brain health approaches we already know that can make a difference. And we need to continue innovating to build for ourselves and future generations. VCU is committed to this mission and is actively working to address neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration for all of society.
Learn more about VCU Convergence.
